Designers honor the kimono

Saturday

Oct 19, 2013 at 12:01 AMOct 19, 2013 at 12:20 PM

TOKYO - Washi paper was paired with silk and fabrics layered in an echo of traditional kimonos yesterday during Japan Fashion Week, the twice-yearly celebration of an industry that plays a key role in the nation's "Cool Japan" campaign.

TOKYO — Washi paper was paired with silk and fabrics layered in an echo of traditional kimonos yesterday during Japan Fashion Week, the twice-yearly celebration of an industry that plays a key role in the nation’s “Cool Japan” campaign.

Underwritten by a $500 million government bankroll, the campaign aims to help Japanese companies promote their culture.

It has been seized upon by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a way of restoring the halo of cool that once graced the nation.